Category Archives: Science

With several of the biggest names in UK Science Fiction speaking, this free event looks unmissable for anyone seriously interested in the science in fiction. Here’s a press release from the University of Manchester:

“Putting the Science in Fiction” Interfaculty Symposium on Science and Entertainment will be an interdisciplinary workshop at the University of Manchester on Wednesday 25th April, from 9:30AM to 5PM in Zochonis TH A (B5), organised by Geoff Ryman (EAS/Centre for New Writing) and David Kirby (CHSTM).

Many people look suspiciously at science in fictional media and may ask themselves: Why don’t the creators of fiction ever talk to real scientists? In fact, those who write novels, produce television shows, and create movies do speak with scientists on a regular basis. This workshop explores how science provides challenges and opportunities for the creators of fiction. By bringing together leading entertainment professionals, novelists, communication scholars, and scientists the workshop will forge new relationships between the scientific community and the arts/entertainment community. One goal of the workshop is to begin discussions about creating a “Science and Entertainment” collaboration programme in the UK equivalent to the Science and Entertainment Exchange run by the National Academy of Sciences in the US.

Confirmed speakers include:
* Stephen Baxter, author of the Manifold trilogy and the Xeelee Sequence
* Ken MacLeod, University of Edinburgh, scholar and author of the Fall Revolution series and the Engines of Light trilogy
* Alastair Reynolds, scientist and author of the Revelation Space series, Pushing Ice and House of Suns
* Geoff Ryman, University of Manchester, scholar and author of Air, The Children’s Garden, and The King’s Last Song
* Ra Page, Founder & Editorial Manager of Comma Press
* David A. Kirby, University of Manchester, author of Lab Coats in Hollywood
* Kirsten Shepherd-Barr, University of Oxford, author of Science on Stage
* Phil Manning, University of Manchester, paleontologist, Science Consultant for Bizarre Dinosaurs and Fossil Detectives
* Justina Robson, author of Silver Screen, Natural History and the Quantum Gravity series
* Simon Ings, author and editor of New Scientist‘s fiction magazine Arc
* Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester, Professor of Zoology
* Tim O’Brien, Jodrell Bank, Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics

“Putting the Science in Fiction” is sponsored by the University of Manchester’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts, Faculty of Life Sciences, and Centre for New Writing.

There is no cost for the workshop, but spaces are limited so you will need to book a place by contacting scienceinfiction [dot] manchester [at] gmail [dot] com

Gary Dalkin is an editor and independent writing consultant with three decades experience in print and online publishing. He contributes every month to Writing Magazine and has been published by Amazon, BBC Publications, Gramophone, HMV, Interzone, the London Symphony Orchestra, SFX and many more.